Located in the center of Xi'an, Shaanxi, China. The Bell Tower and the Drum Tower face each other from east to west. The Bell Tower was first built in the 17th year of the Ming Dynasty (1384). The original site in today's West Street, Guangji Street, Ming Wanli ten years (1582) repair, moved to the current site. Upstairs, the original suspension of a large bell, as a bell chime with.
The building heavy eaves nest arch, save the top corner of the wooden structure, *** have 3 layers. Each layer are applied to the bucket _ decoration. Floor base area of 1,377.64 square meters, through the four streets have a doorway. The base is square, 8.6 meters high, about 35.5 meters wide, with green brick masonry. The height of the building is 27.4 meters. From the ground to the top of the building, 36 meters high. Inside the staircase can be circled up for visitors to visit. Drum Tower was built in Ming Hongwu thirteen years (1380), the thirteenth year of the Qing Kangxi (1674) and Qianlong five years (1740) has been rebuilt, but the ladder body still maintains the original architectural features. The building nine pillars and three floors, for the hermetic roof heavy eaves three drops of water wooden structure building. Block width 38 meters, 52.6 meters long, 8.7 meters high, all with green brick masonry. The height of the building 24.3 meters, 33 meters high. North and south of the center of the coupon door with a height and width of 6 meters. North hanging sound in the sky plaque, south hanging Wen Wu Sheng Di plaque. The building is built in the center of the pedestal, stable and thick.
The northwest corner of the Bell Tower is displayed on a Ming Dynasty iron bell, weighing 5 tons, the bell side of the casting of gossip patterns, built in the Ming Dynasty during the period of Chenghua (1465 ~ 1487 years). But it is much smaller than the bell tower than the bronze bell hung earlier. The original huge bell hanging in the Bell Tower was the Jingyun bell cast during the Jingyun period of the Tang Dynasty (now hidden in the Beilin Museum). It is said that, after moving to the present site, although the style and size of the building has not changed, the Jingyun bell can not ring. There was nothing to be done but to replace it.
The bell tower's door and window carvings are exquisite and complex, showing the decorative arts prevalent in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Carefully appreciate the door on a relief, they will tell you many interesting anecdotes in ancient times. The first floor of the north door, from west to east in turn; gnarled bearded guest; Mulan from the army; Wen Ji returned to Han; blowing cock to attract the phoenix; red leaf inscription poetry; Ban Zhao reading; Bolangsha vertebrae Qin; singing Choumei sand. The east door of the first floor, from north to south, is: the oath of the Palace of Eternal Life; the chain trick; the night disturbance of the crafty mouse; the reading of the hanging horn; the tiger stabbing by Bianzhuang; Chang'e Runs to the Moon; the inscription of the wall by Dongpo; Li Bai invites the moon. The south gate of the first floor, from east to west, is as follows: King Wen visited the wise man; Boya drummed the qin; painted the dragon to dot the eyes; chopped the snake to start an army; Bole looked at the horse; Liu Yi passed on the book; Shun ploughed the Alexandrian mountain; and put the bridge to teach the book. The west door of the first floor, from the south to the north, is Pillow Goggle Waiting for Dawn; Li Ling's soldiers are trapped; Yuji shoots apes; Long You celebrates chickens; Huang Er transmits the book; Sun Yi releases dolphins; Tao Kan carries bricks. The south door of the second floor, from east to west *** eight images of the eight immortals crossing the sea, each showing their powers, in order; Zhong Li Quan, Zhang Guolao, Lu Dongbin, Cao Guoyu, Tie Qiao Li, Lan Caihe, Han Xiangzi and He Xianfu. The north door of the second floor, from west to east*** eight images of drunkenness of the Spoon Immortal, in order of Zhong Li Quan, Zhang Guolao, Lu Dongbin, Cao Guoyu, Tie Qiao Li, Lan Caihe, Han Xiangzi and He Xiangu. The east door of the second level, from north to south, is in the following order; Single Sword Goes to the Meeting; Beating Drums in Jinshan; Mother-in-Law Pricks Her Characters; Mother Meng Chooses Her Neighbors; Zi Lu Carries Rice; Painting and Getting to Teach Her Son; Warm and Joyful Skirts; Warming the Cock Rises Up and Dances. The second layer of the west door; from south to north are: writing scriptures for geese; Mao Shu loves lotus; Ba Bridge willow; trekking in the snow to find plums; Tao Qian loves chrysanthemums; searching for the hidden not to be encountered; the lonely mountain to release the cranes.